Tournament management system

ABSTRACT

A tournament management system is disclosed, including network distributed processing system including: a game world controller; an entertainment software controller connected to the game world controller by a network, the entertainment software controller constructed to provide an entertainment game outcome; and the game world constructed to: receive the entertainment game outcome and element utilization information; determine the wagering event; request and receive the wagering outcome; and a tournament manager coupled to the plurality of network distributed processing systems, constructed to: determine a set of tournament players; determine a set of individual prizes; receive updates associated with the set of tournament players; determine a player to win each of the individual prizes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/708,138 filed May 8, 2015, which is a continuation of PatentCooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US13/64888, filed Oct. 14, 2013which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos.61/724,009, filed Nov. 8, 2012 and 61/724,005 filed Nov. 8, 2012, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference as if setforth herewith. The current application is also related to PCTApplications PCT/US11/26768 filed Mar. 1, 2011, PCT/US11/63587 filedDec. 6, 2011; PCT/US12/50204 filed Aug. 9, 2012; and PCT/US12/58156,filed Sep. 29, 2012, all of which are incorporated by reference as ifset forth herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to gaming andmore specifically to systems and processes that provide a tournament forplayers of a hybrid game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The gaming machine manufacturing industry provides a variety of gamingmachines to enable wagering for interested parties whilst providing anentertainment experience. An exemplary gaming machine is a slot machine.As the demographic of eligible players has shifted with time to newergenerations who have grown accustomed to highly sophisticated graphicsand interactive video games, a need has arisen to increase theentertainment content present on a gaming machine to keep it relevant,at least to a growing portion of a casino's patronage. The subjectdesign is a form of gaming machine, designed for use in a physical orvirtual casino environment, which provides players an environment inwhich to play for cash, prizes and points, either against the casino orin head to head modes in a controlled and regulated manner while beingallowed to use their skills and adeptness at a particular type of game.An example of such a game would be a challenging word spelling game, oran interactive action game such as is found on video game consolespopular today, such as a PlayStation®, an Xbox®, a Wii® or a PC based.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A regulated gambling proposition may be executed by a server in aregulated environment. In addition, a mobile computing device executingan entertainment game may operate in an environment separate from theregulated environment. A controller maintains the separation between theserver and the mobile computing device and provides an interface betweenthe server and the mobile computing device.

An embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of networkdistributed processing systems, each network distributed processingsystem including: a server connected to a controller via a communicationlink, wherein the server is constructed to determine an outcome of awagering event; a mobile computing device connected to the controller bya network, wherein the mobile computing device is constructed to executean entertainment game and provide an entertainment game outcome on thebasis of a player's utilization of an entertainment game element duringthe player's skillful play of the entertainment game; and the controllerconnected to the mobile computing device by the network and connected tothe server by the communication link, wherein the controller isconstructed to: receive from the mobile computing device by the network,the entertainment game outcome and information about the player'sutilization of the entertainment game element; determine the wageringevent based on the player's utilization of the entertainment gameelement; request from the server via the communication link, the outcomefor the wagering event; and receive from the server via thecommunication link, the outcome of the wagering event; and a tournamentmanager coupled to the plurality of network distributed processingsystems, the tournament manager constructed to: determine a set ofplayers associated with the plurality of network distributed processingsystems, the set of players participating in a tournament; determine aprize pool of the tournament that includes a set of individual prizes;receive updates from each of the plurality of network distributedprocessing systems associated with the set of players participating inthe tournament; determine a player of the set of players participatingin the tournament to win each of the individual prizes in the prize poolbased on the updates; and update player records of each player of theset of players participating in the tournament based on participation inthe tournament.

In a further embodiment, the tournament manager is further constructedto determine a set of players eligible for the tournament.

In a further embodiment, the tournament manager is further constructedto: provide an invitation to each player in the set of playersdetermined to be eligible for the tournament; and receive an acceptanceof the invitation from each player in the set of eligible players thatwant to participate in the tournament, wherein an inclusion of a playerin the set of players participating in the tournament is based onreceiving the acceptance of the invitation.

In a further embodiment, the tournament manager is further constructedto determine a set of classes of players in the set of playersparticipating in the tournament.

In a further embodiment, the tournament manager is further constructedto: determine a prize pool of individual prizes for each class in theset of classes of players of the tournament; and determine a winner ofeach individual prize in the prize pool in each class from the playersin each class.

In a further embodiment, the update includes session metrics.

In a further embodiment, the update is recorded using a vector scheme.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of components of a hybrid gamein accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of a Real WorldEngine (RWE) of a hybrid game in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of a Real WorldEngine of a hybrid game in accordance with some other embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling diagram of communications between a RealWorld Engine (RWE) and an external system to provide various functionsin accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a process flow and signalingin an RWE to provide various functions in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of an EntertainmentSystem Engine in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a conceptual diagram of interactions between a userand a hybrid games in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a representative state diagram that illustrates animplementation of a network distributed hybrid game in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplaybetween aspects of a hybrid game in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention using Real World Currency (RWC).

FIG. 9 illustrates conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplaybetween aspects of a hybrid game in accordance with other embodiments ofthe invention using Virtual Real World Currency (VRWC).

FIG. 10 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of a networkbased hybrid game in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of an Internetbased hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of a cloudbased hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of components of a deviceimplementing a hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a system diagram of components in a system thatprovides tournaments for hybrid games in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a conceptual diagram of systems and processes forproviding tournament play in hybrid games in accordance with embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a tracking record maintained for a hybrid gameduring tournament in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an alternative tracking record maintained ahybrid game during tournament play in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a conceptual diagram representing a distribution ofplayer skill for a hybrid game for tournament purposes in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrating a flow diagram of processes performed by a GameWorld engine to provide a tournament for hybrid games in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and method for providing tournamentplay for hybrid games in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention are illustrated. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention, system and methods create and organize tournaments for hybridgames based on controls specified by a casino operator (and/orregulatory authorities). The systems may use skill, player ranking, timeplayed, real currency, or a combination of these and other factors todetermine tournament structure.

Game Hybrid Games

In accordance with many embodiments of the invention, a hybrid gameintegrates high-levels of entertainment content with a game of skill(entertainment game) and a gambling experience with a game of chance(gambling game). A hybrid game provides for random outcomes independentof player skill while providing that the user's gaming experience (asmeasured by obstacles/challenges encountered, time of play and otherfactors) is shaped by the player's skill. The outcome of a gamblingproposition that is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) orother such device that provides a random outcome in response to arequest. In accordance with some embodiments, the wagering game may beinitiated in response to a game object related player action. A hybridgame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIG. 1. The hybrid game 128 includes a Real World Engine (RWE) 102, aGame World Engine (GWE) 112, an Entertainment System Engine (ESE) 120, agambling game user interface 122 and an entertainment game userinterface 124. The two user interfaces can be part of the same userinterface but are separate in the illustrated embodiment. The RWE 102 isconnected with the GWE 112 and the gambling game user interface 122. TheESE 120 is connected with the GWE 112 and the entertainment game userinterface 124. The GWE 112 is connected also with the entertainment gameuser interface 124.

In accordance with several embodiments, the RWE 102 is the operatingsystem for the gambling game of the hybrid game 128 and controls andoperates the gambling game. The operation of a gambling game is enabledby Real World Currency (RWC), such as money or other real world funds. Agambling game can increase or decrease an amount of RWC based on randomgambling outcomes, where the gambling proposition of a gambling game istypically regulated by gaming control bodies. In many embodiments, theRWE includes a Real World (RW) operating system (OS) 104, RNG 106, leveln real-world credit pay tables (table Ln-RWC) 108, RWC meters 110 andother software constructs that enable a game of chance to offer a fairand transparent gambling proposition, and to contain the auditablesystems and functions that can enable the game to obtain gamingregulatory body approval.

A random number generator (RNG) 106 includes software and/or hardwarealgorithms and/or processes, which are used to generate random outcomes.A level n real-world credit pay table (table Ln-RWC) 108 is a table thatcan be used in conjunction with a random number generator (RNG) 106 todictate the RWC earned as a function of sponsored gameplay and isanalogous to the pay tables used in a conventional slot machine. TableLn-RWC payouts are independent of player skill. There can be one tableor multiple tables included in Ln-RWC pay tables 108 contained in agambling game, the selection of which can be determined by factorsincluding (but not limited to) game progress that a player has earned,and/or bonus rounds for which a player can be eligible. RWCs are creditsanalogous to slot machine game credits, which are entered into agambling game by the user, either in the form of money such as hardcurrency or electronic funds. RWCs can be decremented or augmented basedon the outcome of a random number generator according to the tableLn-RWC real world credits pay table 108, independent of player skill. Incertain embodiments, an amount of RWC can be used as criteria in orderto enter higher ESE game levels. RWC can be carried forward to highergame levels or paid out if a cash out is opted for by a player. Theamount of RWC used to enter a specific level of the game level n neednot be the same for each level.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the GWE 112manages the overall hybrid game operation, with the RWE 102 and the ESE120 effectively being support units to the GWE 112. In accordance withsome of these embodiments, the GWE 112 contains mechanical, electronic,and software systems for an entertainment game. The GWE 112 includes anoperating system (OS) 114 that provides control of the entertainmentgame. The GWE additionally contains a level n game world credit paytable (table Ln-GWC) 116 from where to take input from this table toaffect the play of the entertainment game. The GWE 112 can furthercouple to the RWE 102 to determine the amount of RWC available on thegame and other metrics of wagering on the gambling game (and potentiallyaffect the amount of RWC in play on the RWE). The GWE additionallycontains various audit logs and activity meters (such as the GWC meter)118. The GWE 112 can also couple to a centralized server for exchangingvarious data related to the player and their activities on the game. TheGWE 112 furthermore couples to the ESE 120.

In accordance with some embodiments, a level n game world credit paytable (Table Ln-GWC) 116 dictates the Game World Credit (GWC) earned asa function of player skill in the nth level of the game. The payoutsgoverned by this table are dependent upon player skill and sponsoredgameplay at large and can or cannot be coupled to a RNG. In accordancewith some embodiments, GWCs are player points earned or depleted as afunction of player skill, specifically as a function of playerperformance in the context of the game. GWC is analogous to the score ina typical video game. Each entertainment game has one or more scoringcriterion, embedded within the table Ln-GWC 116 that reflects playerperformance against the goal(s) of the game. GWCs can be carried forwardfrom one level of sponsored gameplay to another, and ultimately paid outin various manners such as directly in cash, or indirectly such as byearning entrance into a sweepstakes drawing, or earning participationin, or victory in, a tournament with prizes. GWCs can be stored on aplayer tracking card or in a network-based player tracking system, wherethe GWCs are attributed to a specific player.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the operation of the GWE doesnot affect the RWE's gambling operation except for player choiceparameters that are allowable in slot machines, including but notlimited to, wager terms such as, but not limited to, a wager amount, howfast the player wants to play (by pressing a button or pulling thehandle of a slot machine), and/or agreement to wager into a bonus round.In this sense, the RWE 102 provides a fair and transparent, non-skillbased gambling proposition co-processor to the GWE 112. In theillustrated embodiment, the communication link shown between the GWE 112and the RWE 102 allows the GWE 112 to obtain information from the RWE102 as to the amount of RWC available in the gambling game. Thecommunication link can also convey a status operation of the RWE (suchas on-line or tilt). The communication link can further communicate thevarious gambling control factors which the RWE 102 uses as input, suchas the number of RWC consumed per game or the player's election to entera jackpot round. In FIG. 1, the GWE 112 is also shown as connecting tothe player's user interface directly, as this can be utilized tocommunicate certain entertainment game club points, player status,control the selection of choices and messages which a player can finduseful in order to adjust the entertainment game experience orunderstand their gambling status in the RWE 102.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the ESE 120manages and controls the visual, audio, and player control for theentertainment game. In accordance with certain embodiments, the ESE 120accepts input from a player through a set of hand controls, and/or head,gesture, and/or eye tracking systems and outputs video, audio and/orother sensory output to a user interface. In accordance with manyembodiments, the ESE 120 can exchange data with and accept controlinformation from the GWE 112. In accordance with some of theseembodiments, an ESE 120 can be implemented using a personal computer(PC), a Sony PlayStation® (a video game console developed by SonyComputer Entertainment of Tokyo Japan), or Microsoft Xbox® (a video gameconsole developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.) running aspecific entertainment game software program. In accordance with some ofthese embodiments, ESE 120 can be an electromechanical game system of adraw certificate based hybrid game that is an electromechanical hybridgame. An electromechanical hybrid game executes an electromechanicalgame for player entertainment. The electromechanical game can be anygame that utilizes both mechanical and electrical components, where thegame operates as a combination of mechanical motions performed by atleast one player or the electromechanical game itself. Variouselectromechanical hybrid games are discussed in Patent CooperationTreaty Application No. PCT/US12/58156, filed Sep. 29,2012, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The ESE 120 operates mostly independently from the GWE 112, except thatvia the interface, the GWE 112 can send certain entertainment gamecontrol parameters and elements to the ESE 120 to affect its play, suchas (but not limited to) what level of character to be using, changingthe difficulty level of the game, changing the type of gun or car inuse, and/or requesting potions to become available or to be found by thecharacter. These game control parameters and elements can be based on agambling outcome of a gambling game that was triggered by an element inthe entertainment game being acted upon by the player. The ESE 120 canaccept this input from the GWE 112, make adjustments, and continueentertainment game gameplay all the while running seamlessly from theplayer's perspective. The ESE's operation is mostly skill based, exceptfor where the ESE's processes can inject complexities into the game bychance in its normal operation to create unpredictability in theentertainment game. Utilizing this interface, the ESE 120 can alsocommunicate player choices made in the game to the GWE 112, such as butnot limited to selection of a different gun, and/or the player pickingup a special potion in the GW environment. The GWE's function in thisarchitecture, being interfaced with the ESE 120, is to allow thetransparent coupling of entertainment software to a fair and transparentrandom chance gambling game, providing a seamless perspective to theplayer that they are playing a typical popular entertainment game (whichis skill based). In accordance with certain embodiments, the ESE 120 canbe used to enable a wide range of entertainment games including but notlimited to popular titles from arcade and home video games, such as butnot limited to Gears of War (a third person shooter game developed byEpic Games of Cary, N.C.), Time Crisis (a shooter arcade game developedby Namco Ltd of Tokyo, Japan), or Madden Football (an American footballvideo game developed by EA Tiburon of Maitland, Fla.). Providers of suchsoftware can provide the previously described interface by which the GWE120 can request amendments to the operation of the ESE software in orderto provide seamless and sensible operation as both a gambling game andan entertainment game.

In accordance with some embodiments, the RWE 102 can accept a trigger torun a gambling game in response to actions taken by the player in theentertainment game as conveyed by the ESE 120 to the GWE 112, or astriggered by the GWE 112 based on its algorithms, background to theoverall game from the player's perspective, but can provide informationto the GWE 112 to expose the player to certain aspects of the gamblinggame, such as (but not limited to) odds, amount of RWC in play, andamount of RWC available. The RWE 102 can accept modifications in theamount of RWC wagered on each individual gambling try, or the number ofgambling games per minute the RWE 102 can execute, entrance into a bonusround, and other factors, all the while these factors can take adifferent form than that of a typical slot machine. An example of avarying wager amount that the player can choose can include, but is notlimited to, gameplay with a more powerful character, a more powerfulgun, or a better car. These choices can increase or decrease the amountwagered per individual gambling game, in the same manner that a standardslot machine player can decide to wager more or less credits for eachpull of the handle. In accordance with some of these embodiments, theRWE 102 can communicate a number of factors back and forth to the GWE112, via an interface, such increase/decrease in wager being a functionof the player's decision making as to their operational profile in theentertainment game (such as but not limited to the power of thecharacter, gun selection or car choice). In this manner, the player isalways in control of the per game wager amount, with the choice mappingto some parameter or component that is applicable to the entertainmentgame experience of the hybrid game. In accordance with a particularembodiment, the RWE 102 operation can be a game of chance as a gamblinggame running every 10 seconds where the amount wagered is communicatedfrom the GWE 112 as a function of choices the player makes in theoperation profile in the entertainment game.

In many embodiments, a hybrid game integrates a video game stylegambling machine, where the gambling game (including an RWE 102 and RWC)is not player skill based, while at the same time allows players to usetheir skills to earn club points which a casino operator can translateto rewards, tournament opportunities and prizes for the players. Theactual exchange of monetary funds earned or lost directly from gamblingagainst a game of chance in a gambling game, such as a slot machine, ispreserved. At the same time, a rich environment of rewards to stimulategamers can be established with the entertainment game. In accordancewith some of these embodiments, the hybrid game can leverage verypopular titles with gamers and provides a sea change environment forcasinos to attract players with games that are more akin to the type ofentertainment that a younger generation desires. In accordance withvarious embodiments, players can use their skill towards building andbanking GWC that in turn can be used to win tournaments and variousprizes as a function of their gamer prowess. Numerous embodimentsminimize the underlying changes needed to the aforementionedentertainment software for the hybrid game to operate within anentertainment game construct, thus making a plethora of complex gametitles and environments, rapid and inexpensive to deploy in a gamblingenvironment.

In accordance with some embodiments, hybrid games also allow players togain entry into subsequent competitions through the accumulation of gameworld credits (GWC) as a function of the user's demonstrated skill atthe game. These competitions can pit individual players or groups ofplayers against one another and/or against the casino to win prizesbased upon a combination of chance and skill. These competitions can beeither asynchronous events, whereby players participate at a time and/orplace of their choosing, or they can be synchronized events, wherebyplayers participate at a specific time and/or venue.

In accordance with some embodiments, one or more players engage inplaying an entertainment game, resident in the ESE, the outcomes ofwhich are dependent at least in part on skill. The hybrid game caninclude an entertainment game that includes head to head play between asingle player and the computer, between two or more players against oneanother, or multiple players playing against the computer and/or eachother, as well as the process by which players bet on the outcome of theentertainment game. The entertainment game can also be a game where theplayer is not playing against the computer or any other player, such asin games where the player is effectively playing against himself orherself (such as but not limited to Solitaire and Babette).

The components provided by the RWE for a hybrid game in accordance withembodiments of the invention are shown in FIG. 2. In accordance withembodiments of the invention, the RWE 204 includes an internal bus 225that connects an operating system OS 221, a pseudo random or randomnumber generator (“P/RNG”) 220, one or more pay tables (Table Ln-RC) 223which would control the functions of the RWE, a P/RNG 220 to producerandom numbers, one or more pay tables (Table Ln-RC) 223, a wageringcontrol module 222, an authorization access module 224, and a RC creditmeter 226 that are included in the RWE 204. The RW OS 221 controls thefunctions of the RWE. The RNG 220 includes one or more RNGs that areused to produce random numbers for use in resolving gambling events andother process requiring a random number to determine an outcome. The oneor more pay tables (Table Ln-RC) 223 contain a plurality of factorsindexed by the random number to be multiplied with the RC wagered todetermine the payout on a successful wager. A wagering control module222 performs the processes to resolve a wager on a proposition of agambling event. The resolution process includes, but is not limited to,pulling random numbers, looking up factors in Pay Tables, multiplyingthe factors by the amount of RC wagered, and administering a RC creditmeter 226. A repository (a credit meter) 926 maintains a record of theamount of RC which player has deposited in the game and has beenaccumulated by the player.

An external connection allows the RWE 204 to interface to another systemor device, which is shown in FIG. 2 as the internet 205 but may be anyother network and/or device. The authorization access module 224 of RWE204 is connected to the external connection and provides a method topermit access and command exchange between an external system and theRWE 204. The RWE 204 also contains storage for statuses, wagers, wageroutcomes, meters and other historical events in a storage device 116.

In some embodiments, the RWE communicates with external systems toprovide various functions of a hybrid game in accordance withembodiments of the invention. The components of an RWE that communicatewith an external system to provide a component of the RWE in accordancewith embodiments of the invention are shown in FIG. 3. The RWE 204 shownin FIG. 3 is similar to the RWE shown in FIG. 2. However, the P/RNG 220which is an external system connected to the RWE 204 by the internet 205in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The P/RNG 220 could bea central deterministic system, such as a regulated and controlledrandom numbered ball selection device, or some other system whichprovides random or pseudo random numbers to one or a plurality ofconnected RWEs 204. One skilled in the art will recognize that onlyP/RNG 220 is an external system in the shown embodiments. However, anyof the components could be external systems without departing from thisinvention and P/RNG 220 is shown as an example only.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the RWE 204 interfaces with other systems/devices orto an external P/RNG 220 using the Internet 205. However, one skilled inthe art will note that nothing would preclude using a differentinterface than the internet 205 in other embodiments of the invention.Other examples of interfaces include, but are not limited to, a LAN, aUSB interface, or some other method by which two electronic and softwareconstructs could communicate with each other.

The RWE and an external system typically communicate to provide theresolution of gambling events to resolve wagers on the events. Thesignals between the RWE and an external system to provide some processrelated to resolving gambling events in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention are shown in FIG. 4. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention, the primary function of the RWE 204 is to manage wageringevents and to provide random (or pseudo random) numbers from an RNG. Atthe top of the figure, a 6 component communication exchange grouped bythe “1” box is shown for a wager on a proposition in a gambling eventduring a hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Anexternal system 450 that is requesting wagering support from the RWE 204instructs the RWE 204 as to the pay table (Table Ln-RC) to use (410),followed by the amount of RC to wager on the proposition of the gamblingevent (412). Next, the external system 450 signals the RWE to trigger awager or perform the gambling event (414). The RWE 204 resolves thegambling event. The RWE 204 then informs external system 450 as to theoutcome of the wager (416), the amount of RC won (418), and the amountof RC in the player's account (in the credit repository) (420).

A second communication exchange between the RWE 204 and an externalsystem 450 in accordance with embodiments of the invention that is shownin FIG. 4 is grouped by the “2” box in FIG. 4 and relates to theexternal system 450 needing an RNG result support from the RWE 204. Inthis exchange, the external system 450 requests an RNG result from theRWE 204 (430). The RWE 204 returns an RNG result to the external 450 inresponse to the request (432). The result may be generated as a functionof the internal RNG in the RWE 204, or from an RNG external to the RWE204 to which the RWE 204 is connected.

A third communication exchange between the RWE 204 and the externalsystem 405 in accordance with embodiments of the invention that is shownin FIG. 4 is grouped by the “3” box in the figure and relates to theexternal system 450 wanting support on coupling an RNG result to aparticular Pay Table contained in the RWE 204. In this exchange, theexternal system 450 instructs the RWE as to the pay table (Table Ln-RC)to use 450. The external system then requests a result whereby the RNGresult is coupled to the requested Pay Table (442). The result isreturned to the external system 405 by RWE 204 (444). Such an aspect isdifferent from the first exchange shown by the box “1” sequence in thatno actual RC wager is conducted. However, such a process t might beuseful in coupling certain non-RC wagering entertainment game behaviorsand propositions to the same final resultant wagering return which isunderstood for the hybrid game to conduct wagering.

In regards to FIG. 4, one skilled in the art will note that the thrustof the FIG. 4 is to convey overall functional exchanges between an RWE204 and an external system 450. As such, various protocol layersnecessary for error free and secure communication, and other status,setup, and configuration commands which one might expect in any protocolbetween two connected systems have been omitted for clarity.Furthermore, some or all of the various commands and responsesillustrated could be combined into one or more communication packetswithout departing from this invention.

The process flow for functional communication exchanges, such ascommunication exchanges described above with reference to FIG. 4,between a RWE and an external system in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention are shown in FIG. 5. The process begins by a RWE 204receiving signals from an external system requesting a connection to RWE204. The Access Authorization Module determines that the external systemauthorized to connect to RWE 204 (504) and transmits an authorizationresponse to the external system. The external systems that providerequests a request for a gambling event is to be performed to RWE 294(506). The request may include an indication of a wager amount on aproposition in the gambling event, and a proper pay table to use toresolve the wager. The external system then sends a signal to triggerthe gambling event (508).

The OS 221 instructs the Wager Control Module 222 as to the RC wager andthe Pay Table to select as well as to resolve the wager execute (510).In response to the request to execute the gambling event, the wagercontrol module 222 requests an RNG result from the RNG 220 (512);retrieves a proper pay table or tables from the pay tables 223 (514);adjusts the RC of the player in the RC repository 926 as instructed(516; applies the RNG result to the particular pay table or tables(518); and multiplies the resultant factor from the Pay Table by theamount of RC to determine the result of the wager (518). Wager ControlModule 222 then adds the amount of RC won by the wager to the RCrepository 426 (520); and provides he outcome of the wager, and theamount of RC in the RWE and the RC won (522). One skilled in the artwill recognize that there may be many embodiments of an RWE 204 whichcould be possible, including forms where many modules and components ofthe RWE are located in various servers and locations, so the foregoingis not meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive, but rather provideinformation about an RWE 204 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

A block diagram of components an ESE being provided by an ESE host for ahybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention are shown inFIG. 6. An ESE 610 may be part of the entertainment game itself, may bea software module that is executed by the entertainment game, or mayprovide an execution environment for the entertainment game for aparticular host. The ESE 610 and associated entertainment game arehosted by an ESE host 600. The ESE host 600 is a computing device thatis capable of hosting the ESE 610 and the entertainment game. Exemplaryhosts include video game consoles, smart phones, personal computers,tablet computers, or the like. The entertainment game includes a gameengine 612 that generates a player interface 605 for interaction with bya player. The player interface includes a player presentation 635 thatis presented to a player through the player interface. The playerpresentation 635 may be audio, visual or tactile, or any combination ofsuch. The player interface 635 further includes one or more Human InputDevices (HIDs) 630 that the player uses to interact with theentertainment game. Various components or sub-engines of the game engineread data from a game state in order to implement the features of thegame. Components of the game engine include a physics engine 640 used tosimulate physical interactions between virtual objects in the gamestate, a rules engine 645 for implementing the rules of the game, an RNGthat may be used for influencing or determining certain variables and/oroutcomes to provide a randomizing influence on game play, a graphicsengine 650 used to generate a visual representation of the game state tothe player, an audio engine to generate audio outputs for the playerinterface, and any other engine needed to provide the entertainmentgame. The game engine 612 reads and writes game resources 615 stored ona data store of the ESE host. The game resources 615 include gameobjects 655 having graphics and/or control logic used to implement gameworld objects of the game engine. The game resources 615 also includevideo files 675 that are used to generate cut-scenes for theentertainment game. The game resources 615 may also include audio files660 used to generate music, sound effects, etc. within the entertainmentgame. The game resources 615 may also include configuration files 670used to configure the features of the entertainment game. The gameresources 615 may also include scripts 665 or other types of controlcode used to implement various game play features of the entertainmentgame. The game resources 615 may also include graphics resources 680including, but not limited to, textures, and objects that are used bythe game engine to render objects displayed in the entertainment game.

In operation, components of the game engine 612 read portions of thegame state 625 and generate the player presentation for the player whichis presented to the player using the player interface 605. The playerperceives the presentation 635 and provides player inputs using the HIDs630. The corresponding player inputs are received as player actions orinputs by various components of the game engine 612. The game enginetranslates the player actions into interactions with the virtual objectsof the game world stored in the game state 625. Components of the gameengine 612 use the player interactions with the virtual objects of thegame and the game state 625 to update the game state 625 and update thepresentation 635 presented to the user. The process loops in a game loopcontinuously while the player plays the game.

The ESE 610 provides one or more interfaces between an entertainmentgame and other components 620 of a hybrid game, such as a GWE. The ESE610 and the other hybrid game component 620 communicate with each otherusing the interfaces, such as by passing various types of data andsending and receiving messages, status information, commands and thelike. Examples of communications include, but are not limited to,requesting by the hybrid game component 620 that the ESE 610 update thegame state using information provided by the other component;requesting, by the hybrid game component 620, that the ESE 610 updateone or more game resources using information provided by the hybrid gamecomponent 620; the ESE 610 providing all or a portion of the game state;the ESE 610 providing one or more of the game resources to the hybridgame component 620; and the ESE 610 communicating player actions to theother hybrid game component 620. The player actions may be low levelplayer interactions with the player interface, such as manipulation ofan HID, or may be high level interactions with objects as determined bythe entertainment game. The player actions may also include resultantactions such as modifications to the game state or game resourcesresulting from the player's actions taken in the game. Other examples ofplayer actions include actions taken by entities, such as Non-PlayerCharacters (NPC) of the entertainment game, that act on behalf of, orunder the control of, the player.

Elements are a limited resource consumed within an entertainment game toadvance entertainment game gameplay. In playing the entertainment gameusing the elements, a player can (optionally) consume and accrue gameworld credits (GWC) within the entertainment game. These credits can bein the form of (but are not limited to) game world credits, experiencepoints, or points generally. Wagers can be made in the gambling game astriggered by the player's use of one or more elements of theentertainment game. The wagers are made using real world credits (RC).The real world credits can be credits in an actual currency, or can becredits in a virtual currency which has real world value. Gamblingoutcomes from the gambling game can cause consumption, loss or accrualof RC. In addition, gambling outcomes in the gambling game can influenceelements in the entertainment game such as (but not limited to) byrestoring a consumed element, causing the loss of an element,restoration or placement of a fixed element. In certain embodiments,gambling games can facilitate the wager of GWC for a randomly generatedpayout of GWC or a wager of elements for a randomly generated payout ofelements. In particular embodiments, an amount of GWC and/or elementsused as part of a wager can have a RC value if cashed out of a gameplaysession.

Example elements include enabling elements (EE) which are elements thatenable a player's play of the entertainment game and whose consumptionby the player while playing the entertainment game can trigger a wagerin a gambling game. Another non limiting example of an element is areserve enabling element (REE), which is an element that converts intoone or more enabling elements upon occurrence of a release event inskill wagering interleaved game gameplay. Other types of elementsinclude actionable elements (AE) which are elements that are acted uponto trigger a wager in the gambling game and may or may not be restorableduring normal play of the entertainment game. Another type of element isa common enabling element (CEE) which as an element that may be sharedby two or more players and the use of which by any of the players causesa wager to be triggered.

In progressing through entertainment game gameplay, elements can beutilized by a player during interactions with a controlled entity (CE)which is a character, entity, inanimate object, device or other objectunder control of a player.

Also, entertainment game gameplay progress and wager triggers can bedependent upon a game world variable such as, but not limited to: arequired game object (RGO) which is a specific game object in anentertainment game acted upon for an AE to be completed (such as but notlimited to a specific key needed to open a door); a requiredenvironmental condition (REC) which is a game state present within anentertainment game for an AE to be completed (such as but not limited todaylight whose presence enables a character to walk through woods); or acontrolled entity characteristic (CEC) which is a status of the CEwithin an entertainment game for an AE to be completed (such as but notlimited to a CE to have full health points before entering battle).Although various gameplay resources, such as but not limited to GWC, RCand elements as discussed above, any gameplay resource can be utilizedto advance gameplay as well as form the basis for a trigger of a wageras appropriate to the specification of a specific application inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. Various hybridgames are discussed in PCT Application Nos. PCT/US11/26768, filed Mar.1, 2011, PCT/US11/63587, filed Dec. 6, 2011, and PCT/US12/50204 filedAug. 9, 2012, each disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In accordance with some embodiments, a player can interact with a hybridgame by using RWC in interactions with a gambling game along with GWCand elements in interactions with an entertainment game. The gamblinggame can be executed by a RWE while an entertainment game can beexecuted with an ESE and managed with a GWE. A conceptual diagram thatillustrates how resources such as GWC, RWC and entertainment gameelements, such as but not limited to enabling elements (EE), areutilized in a hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 7. The conceptual diagram illustratesthat RWC 704, EE 708 and GWC 706 can be utilized by a player 702 ininteractions with the RWE 710, GWE 712 and ESE 714 of a based hybridgame 716. The contribution of elements, such as EE 708, can be linked toa player's access to credits, such as RWC 704 or GWC 706. Electronicreceipt of these credits can come via a smart card, voucher or otherportable media, or as received over a network from a server. Inaccordance with certain embodiments, these credits can be drawn ondemand from a player profile located in a database locally on a hybridgame or in a remote server.

Various types of hybrid games and triggering mechanisms are described inPCT Applications PCT/US11/26768 filed Mar. 1, 2011, PCT/US11/63587 filedDec. 6, 2011; and PCT/US12/50204 filed Aug. 9, 2012, all of which areincorporated by reference as if set forth herewith.

A conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplay between aspects of ahybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention using RealWorld Currency (RWC) is illustrated in FIG. 8. Similar to FIG. 7, aplayer's actions and/or decisions can affect functions 806 that consumeand/or accumulate GWC 802 and/or entertainment game elements, such asbut not limited to EE 804, in an entertainment game executed by an ESE810. A GWE 812 can monitor the activities taking place within anentertainment game executed by an ESE 810 for gameplay gambling eventoccurrences. The GWE 812 can also communicate the gameplay gamblingevent occurrences to an RWE 814 that triggers a wager of RWC 816 in agambling game executed by the RWE 814.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the following mayoccur during use of the hybrid game. The user enters an input thatrepresents an action or decision (850). The ESE 810 signals the GWE 812with the input decision or action (852). The GWE 812 responds bysignaling to ESE 810 with the amount of EE that is consumed by theplayer action or decision (854). The signaling from the GWE 812configures a function 806 to control the EE consumption, decay, and/oraccumulation.

The ESE 810 then adjusts the EE 804 accordingly (856). The GWE 812signals the RWE 814 as to the profile of the wager propositionassociated with the action or decision and triggers the wager (858). TheRWE 814 consumes the appropriate amount of RC 816 and executes the wager(860). The RWE 814 then adjusts the RC 816 based upon the outcome of thewager (862) and informs the GWE 812 as to the outcome of the wager(864).

The GWE 812 signals the ESE 810 to adjust EE to one or more of the EEsof the ESE entertainment game (866). Function 806 of the ESE 810performs the adjustment of EE 804 (868). The ESE 810 signals the GWE 812as to the updated status (870). In response, the GWE 812 signals the ESE810 to update GWC of the entertainment game. The ESE updates the GWC 802using a function 806 (872).

The following is an example of the above flow in a first person shootergame, such a Call of Duty ®, using a hybrid game sequence in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

The process begins by a player selecting a machine gun to use in thegame and then fires a burst of bullets at an opponent (850). The ESE 810signals the GWE 812 of the player's choice of weapon, that a burst ofbullets was fired, and the outcome of the burst (852). GWE 812 processesthe information received and signals ESE 810 to consume 3 bullets (EE)with each pull of the trigger (854). The ESE 810 consumes 3 bullets forthe burst using function 806 (856).

The GWE 812 signals the RWE 814 that 3 credits (RC) are to be wagered tomatch the three bullets consumed. The RWE 814 then determines the resultof the wager and may determine the winnings from a pay table. On aparticular pay table (Table Ln-RC), a determination is made by RWE 814as to the amount of damage that the opponent has sustained. The RWE 814consumes 3 credits of RC 816 for the wager and executes the specifiedwager (860). The RWE 814 determines that the player hit a jackpot of 6credits and returns the 6 credits to the RC 816 (862) and signals theGWE 812 that 3 net credits were won by the player (864).

The GWE 812 signals ESE 810 to add 3 bullets to an ammunition clip(866). ESE 810 adds 3 bullets back to the ammo clip (EE 804) using afunction 806 (868). The ammunition may be added by directly adding theammunition to the clip or by allowing the user to find extra ammunitionduring game play. The GWE 812 logs the new player score (GWC 802) in thegame (as a function of the successful hit on the opponent) based on theESE 810 signaling, and the signals the ESE 810 to add 2 extra points tothe player score since a jackpot has been won (870). The ESE 810 thenadds 10 points to the player score (GWC 802) given the success of thehit which in this example is worth 8 points, plus the 2 extra pointsrequested by GWE 812 (872). Note that the foregoing example is onlyintended to provide an illustration of how credits flow in a hybridgame, but is not intended to be exhaustive and only lists only one ofnumerous possibilities of how a hybrid game may be configured to manageits fundamental credits.

A conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplay between aspects of ahybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention usingVirtual Real World Currency (VRWC) is illustrated in FIG. 9. As seen inthe FIG. 9, substituting VRWC in place of RWC is effected without impactto the architecture or operation of the Hybrid Game. The implementationof FIG. 9 is not the only embodiment using virtual currency within aHybrid Game, but shows only one permutation of which many could exist.

Similar to FIG. 8, a player's actions and/or decisions can affectfunctions 906 that consume and/or accumulate GWC 902 and/or EE 904 in anentertainment game executed by an ESE 910 in the process shown in FIG.9. A GWE 912 can monitor the activities taking place within anentertainment game executed by an ESE 910 for gameplay gambling eventoccurrences. The GWE 912 can also communicate the gameplay gamblingevent occurrences to an RWE 914. Unlike the process shown in FIG. 8, RWE914 triggers a wager of Virtual Real World Currency (VRWC) 916 in agambling game executed by the RWE 914.

For purposes of this discussion, VRWC can be thought of as a form ofalternate currency, which can be acquired, purchased or transferred, inunit or in bulk, by/to a player, but does not necessarily directlycorrelate to RWC or real currency. As an example, there is a virtualcurrency called “Triax Jacks”, 1000 units of which are given to a playerby an operator of a hybrid game, with additional blocks of 1000 unitsbeing available for purchase for $5 USD each block. Triax Jacks could beredeemed for various prizes, or could never be redeemed but simply usedand traded purely for entertainment value by players. It would becompletely consistent with the architecture of the hybrid game thatTriax Jacks would be wagered in place of RWC, such that the hybrid gamecould be played for free, or with played with operator sponsored TriaxJacks.

Returning to the process in FIG. 9, the following may occur during useof the hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Theuser enters an input that represents an action or decision (950). TheESE 910 signals the GWE 912 with the input decision or action (952). TheGWE 912 responds by signaling to ESE 910 with the amount of EE that isconsumed by the player action or decision (954). The signaling from theGWE 912 configures a function 906 to control the EE consumption, decay,and/or accumulation.

The ESE 910 then adjusts the EE 904 accordingly (956). The GWE 912signals the RWE 914 as to the profile of the wager propositionassociated with the action or decision and triggers the wager (958). TheRWE 914 consumes the appropriate amount of RC 916 and executes the wager(960). The RWE 914 then adjusts the RC 916 based upon the outcome of thewager (962) and informs the GWE 912 as to the outcome of the wager(964).

The GWE 912 signals the ESE 910 to adjust EE to one or more of the EEsof the ESE entertainment game (966). Function 906 of the ESE 910performs the adjustment of EE 904 (968). The ESE 910 signals the GWE 912as to the updated status (970). In response, the GWE 912 signals the ESE910 to update GWC 902 of the entertainment game. The ESE updates the GWC902 using a function 906 (972).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an implementation of a hybrid game in acasino in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the figure, thehybrid game 1000 includes components, RWE 1002 embedded in a device usedas the user interface for player 1003. The device provides both aRWE/GWE user interface 1005 and an ESE user interface 1007 for theplayer. The ESE is provisioned by an ESE hosting server 1004 via ESEinterface 1009, and the GWE is provisioned by GWE server 1006 asindicated by the dashed line. Also pictured in the diagram are a numberof other peripheral systems, such as player management 1008, casinomanagement 1010, regulatory 1012, hybrid game player account management1014, and taxation authority 1016 hosting servers that may be present insuch an implementation. FIG. 10 also illustrates various other systems,which may reside outside the bounds of the casino and are connected tothe framework via communications network, such as the Internet 1020,depicted by the connection lines past the casino firewall 1022. The enddevices utilized for user interfaces for a hybrid game include, but arenot limited to, casino electronic game machines 1030 and wireless orportable devices, such as smart phone 1032, personal digital assistants,tablet computers, video gaming consoles or the like. These disparatedevices are connected within and without the casino through the casino'sinformation technology structure as illustrated by routers 1040 a, 1040b and 1040 c. It should be understood that FIG. 10 does not attempt toillustrate all servers and systems to which a hybrid game 1000 might beinevitably be connected, and indeed one might expect there would beothers, but rather provides an example of a set of a sub-set of systemswhich would be present in an exemplary embodiment of an installation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another implementation of a hybrid game inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the figure, the hybrid game1101 includes components, RWE 1104 embedded in a device used as the userinterface for player 1103. The device provides both a RWE/GWE userinterface 1105 and an ESE user interface 1007 for the player. The ESE isprovisioned by an ESE hosting server 1104 via ESE interface 1109. Alsopictured in the diagram are a number of other peripheral systems, suchas player management 1108, casino management 1110, regulatory 1112,hybrid game player account management 1114, and taxation authority 1116hosting servers that may be present in such an implementation. In thefigure, note that the GWE is composed of two sub-components, a local GWEserver 1120, and a cloud server 1122. (components within the dash linearea 1124). In the figure, certain of the components are located withinthe bounds of the casino, namely the RWE, the ESE and a portion of theGWE, namely the local GWE server 1120. The Cloud Server GWE 1122 islocated in the cloud connected to the casino bounded hybrid gamecomponents via communications network such as the Internet 1130 througha firewall 1132. FIG. 11 also illustrates various other systems, whichmay reside outside the bounds of the casino and are connected to theframework via communications network. The end devices utilized for userinterfaces for a hybrid game include, but are not limited to, casinoelectronic game machines, 1134 a and 1134 b, and wireless or portabledevices, such as smart phone 1136, personal digital assistants, tabletcomputers, video gaming consoles or the like. These disparate devicesare connected within and without the casino through the casino'sinformation technology structure as illustrated by routers 1140 a, 1140b and 1140 c. It should be understood that FIG. 11 does not attempt toillustrate all servers and systems to which a hybrid game might beinevitably be connected, and indeed one might expect there would beothers, but rather provides an example of a set of a sub-set of systemswhich would be present in an exemplary embodiment of an installation.

A system diagram that illustrates an implementation of network a cloudbased hybrid game over the Internet in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. The system includes an ESEserver 1202, GWE server 1204 and RWE server 1206 that each connect to auser interface, 1210 a or 1210 b, (such as, but not limited to, atelevision screen, computer terminal, tablet, touchscreen or PDA) ofhybrid games over the Internet 1208. Each gambling hybrid game includesa local ESE 1212 a or 1212 b (such as, but not limited to, a video gameconsole or a gaming computer system) that interfaces with a remote ESEserver 1002. Processes performed by an ESE 1212 a services can beperformed in multiple locations, such as, but not limited to, remotelyon an ESE server 1202 and locally on a local ESE 1212 a. In addition, agambling hybrid game may include a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) 1214or other type of mobile computing device game coupled to the ESE hostingserver 1202, thus providing the opportunity for a player to play ahybrid game on the PDA through a mobile phone or data network.

There are many possible permutations of how a hybrid game could beconstructed, with FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 showing only three possiblepermutations and provided as examples, which are not intended to suggestlimitations to the forms of the architecture. Other embodiments includea version where the entire hybrid game is in the cloud with only aclient running on player terminal within the bounds of the casino, or aversion where the RWE and GWE are casino bound and the ESE exists in thecloud, accessed by a client running on a terminal in the casino.

Processing Apparatuses

Any of a variety of processing apparatuses can host various componentsof a hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, these processingapparatuses can include, but are not limited to, a gaming machine, ageneral purpose computer, a computing device and/or a controller. Aprocessing apparatus that is constructed to implement a hybrid game inaccordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 13.In the processing apparatus 1300, a processor 1304 is coupled to amemory 1306 by a bus 1328. The processor 1304 is also coupled tonon-transitory processor-readable storage media, such as a storagedevice 1308 that stores processor-executable instructions 1312 and data1310 through the system bus 1328 to an I/O bus 1326 through a storagecontroller 1318. The processor 1304 is also coupled to one or moreinterfaces that can be used to connect the processor to other processingapparatuses as well as networks as described herein. The processor 1304is also coupled via the bus to user input devices 1314, such as tactiledevices including, but not limited to, keyboards, keypads, foot pads,touch screens, and/or trackballs; as well as non-contact devices such asaudio input devices, motion sensors and motion capture devices that theprocessing apparatus can use to receive inputs from a user when the userinteracts with the processing apparatus. The processor 1304 is connectedto these user input devices 1314 through the system bus 1328, to the I/Obus 1326 and through the input controller 1320. The processor 1304 isalso coupled via the bus to user output devices 1316 such as (but notlimited to) visual output devices, audio output devices, and/or tactileoutput devices that the processing apparatus uses to generate outputsperceivable by the user when the user interacts with the processingapparatus. In accordance with some embodiments, the processor is coupledto visual output devices such as (but not limited to) display screens,light panels, and/or lighted displays. In accordance with particularembodiments, the processor is coupled to audio output devices such as(but not limited to) speakers, and/or sound amplifiers. In accordancewith many of these embodiments, the processor 1304 is coupled to tactileoutput devices like vibrators, and/or manipulators. The processor 1304is connected to output devices from the system bus 1328 to the I/O bus1326 and through the output controller 1322. The processor 1304 can alsobe connected to a communications interface 1302 from the system bus 1328to the I/O bus 1326 through a communications controller 1324.

In accordance with various embodiments, a processor 1304 can loadinstructions and data from the storage device into the memory 1306. Theprocessor 1304 can also execute instructions that operate on the data toimplement various aspects and features of the components of a hybridgame. The processor 1304 can utilize various input and output devices inaccordance with the instructions and the data in order to create andoperate user interfaces for players or operators of a hybrid game(suchas but not limited to a casino that hosts the hybrid game).

Although the processing apparatus 1300 is described herein as beingconstructed from a processor and instructions stored and executed byhardware components, the processing apparatus can be composed of onlyhardware components in accordance with other embodiments. In addition,although the storage device is described as being coupled to theprocessor through a bus, those skilled in the art of processingapparatuses will understand that the storage device can includeremovable media such as, but not limited to, a USB memory device, anoptical CD ROM, magnetic media such as tape and disks. Also, the storagedevice can be accessed by processor 1304 through one of the interfacesor over a network. Furthermore, any of the user input devices or useroutput devices can be coupled to the processor 1304 via one of theinterfaces or over a network. In addition, although a single processor1304 is described, those skilled in the art will understand that theprocessor 1304 can be a controller or other computing device or aseparate computer as well as be composed of multiple processors orcomputing devices.

Provision of Tournament Play for Gambling Hybridi

In accordance with many embodiments of the invention, a hybrid gameallows a player to participate in a tournament during play of the hybridgame. In accordance with these embodiments, the game world engine may beprovided by one or more different systems that perform the process thatallow for tournament play. A system diagram showing functional aspectsof a hybrid game with a tournament mode in accordance with embodimentsof the invention is shown in FIG. 14. The system shown in FIG. 14includes a device providing a Hybrid game (“HyG”) 1401, a Game WorldPlayer Management System (GWPM) 1410, a Game World Credit Exchange(“GWCE”) 1411, and a Game World Tournament Management System (“GWTM”)1412. The HyG 1401 is a hybrid game provided by a processing apparatusto a user 1480 and is connected to the GWPM 1410. The HyG 1401 and theGWPM 1410 interchange information to provide the hybrid game including,but not limited to, player identity(s); player account information;player metrics related to skill and accumulated skill points or GWC (asdiscussed below); RC contribution to tournament prize pool (as discussedbelow); player rankings; player preferences; and time spent playing thegame. The GWPM 1412 stores and manages a broad array of data related toa player's life within the hybrid game ecosystem.

GWPM 1410 connected to the GWCE 1411 and GWTM 1412. The GWCE 1411performs exchange of a player's GWC credits from one type of hybrid game(e.g. word game or 1^(st) person shooter game) into GWC of another typeof hybrid game. The following is a formula to conceptualize thisconcept:

GWC_(A)→GWC_(B).

Where GWC_(A) is credits in a first type of hybrid game, game A (forexample bullets in a first person shooter game); and GWC_(B) is creditsin a second type of hybrid game, game B (for example, fuel in a carracing game) via the GWCE 1411.

The GWCE 111 may also perform conversion of GWC from a particular gameinto a universal currency (“UGWC”) which could be used in the hybridgame system for another purpose. The following is a formula toconceptualize this concept:

GWC_(A)→UGW_(C)

Where GWC_(A) is credits in a first type of hybrid game, game A (forexample bullets in a first person shooter game); and UGWC are theuniversal currency.

The GWPM 1410 also connects to the Game World Tournament Management(“GWTM”) System 1412. The purpose of the GWTM is to arrange and manageplayer head to head types and player against computer types oftournaments.

A conceptual process flow diagram for providing a tournament mode for ahybrid gambling game in accordance with embodiments of the invention isshown by FIG. 15. FIG. 15 provides more detail of the workings of eachof HyG 1401, the GWPM 110, the GWCE 111 and the GWTM 112 and theinteractions between these systems. HyG 1401 provides the hybrid gameelements of the RWE 1504, the GWE 1502 and the ESE 1503. A player playsthe HyG 1401 by primarily interacting with the ESE 1503, resulting inwagers funded by the player's credits RC 1581 which are recorded by a RCcredit meter 1520. When wagers of RC 1581 are made, the wagers aresegmented into two portions by GWE function [f1] 1524. In accordancewith some embodiments of the invention, GWE function [f1] 1524 controlsthe amount of RC₁ 1527 credits which are effectively taken from aplayer's wager of RC 1581 at the time the wager is placed with the RWE1504 and contributed to a pool for a tournament. The GWE function [f1]is expressed as:

RC→{GWE function [f1]}→RC₁, RC₂

Where GWE function [f1]1524 is applied to RC wager to yields RC₁ andRC₀. GWE function [f1] 1524 may be a fixed percentage of the RC wagered,a variable coefficient based on the size of the wager, a variablecoefficient based on the amount of a player's GWC or the playerefficiency at earning GWC vs. the amount of RC wagered, etc. FurthermoreGWE function [f1]1524 may be under the control of casino operators,business partners, regulators or a combination of the three.

After the portions are determined, the first portion, RC₀ 1522 is passedto the RWE 1504 for execution of the wager on a gambling event in thehybrid gambling game. The second portion, RC₁ 1527, is contributed to apool for later use. The player's RC₁ contributed to the pool is loggedand accumulated in a Hybrid game Session Transfer Packet (“gSTP”) 1530,the total of which is denoted by the object 1535. One skilled in the artwill note that that the gSTP packet 1530 may be communicated from HyG1401 to the GWPM 1410 system either real time, communicated at the endof the session or hybrids thereof.

The ESE 1503 also logs Game Session Metrics 1529 related to the sessioninto the gSTP 130. These Game Session Metrics might include data suchas, but not limited to:

-   -   i) a tracking record for the game session that allows various        game events and actions to be recorded against a game progress        reference method (such as virtual or real game time elapsed,        game action opportunities, game wagering events, etc.). This        tracking record shall be referred to as the “HyG.seq.record” in        this document;    -   ii) a special game objects in use in the ESE game during the        session (e.g. a special sword, a particular weapon, a potion,        etc.);    -   iii) the impact of special objects in use to the rate at which a        player accumulates GWC 1583;    -   iv) the record of RC 1581 wagered and the amount of contributed        RC 1 1527 against a tracking record of the use of ESE game        modifying objects (such as the special game objects cited above)        in such a manner as to allow inspection and analysis (by        computer, human or both) of the play session to profile how RC        wagering and contribution were impacted by the use of the ESE        game modifying objects; and    -   v) an entry or marker into the HyG.seq.record when certain game        objects were used, or key wagering or game context decisions or        actions were taken.

The ESE 1503 logs GWC 1583 earned by the player during a gameplaysession into the gSTP 1530, along with various other GWC Metrics 1528related to the profile of the player's accumulation of the GWC 1583during the gameplay session and how the gameplay session has progressedresulting in GWC earned. The gameplay session GWC Metrics might includedata such as, but not limited to:

-   -   i) the amount of RC 1581 wagered to earn the amount of GWC 983        in the session;    -   ii) the amount of RC 1581 won to earn the amount of GWC 1583 in        the session;    -   iii) the amount of RC 1581 lost to earn the amount of GWC 1583        in the session;    -   iv) a record of RC 1581 wagered and the amount of contributed        RC₁ 1527 against a tracking record of ESE activity (such as        wagering triggering gambling events and/or action elements of an        entertainment game) in such a manner as to allow inspection and        analysis (by computer, human or both) of the play session to        profile how GWC 1583 was earned during the session; and    -   v) an entry or marker into the HyG.seq.record when GWC 1583 was        earned and when RC 1581 was wagered, won and/or lost, and the        RC₁ 1527 contributed at these points.

As seen in FIG. 15, the HyG 1401 is coupled to the GWPM 110 system, andas described above, the HyG 1401 communicates the gSTP 130 packet to theGWPM for various uses, including but not limited to play sessionvaulting, accounting, providing a repository for a player account forpersistent GWC 1583, for use by the GWTM 1412 (see discussion below),for regulatory purposes and for player marketing uses by the operator toname a few potential applications of the GWPM.

The GWPM 1410 coupled to the GWCE 1411. The GWCE 1411 performs theprocess of converting GWC 1583 earned on one game platform to GWC usablein another (or, as described above, into UGWC for other uses or forhousing player GWC in a “common currency”). The conversion is performedby GWCE function [f5] 1543. The GWCE function 1543 may be performed byvarious formulae and algorithms in order to affect the exchange in afair and accountable manner. For example, GWC from game A, denoted asGWC_(A) 1583, and GWC metrics 1528 from game A (which relates to theefficiency with which a player earned the GWC on the game) is passedfrom the GWPM 1410 to the GWCE 1411, where it is converted by GWCEfunction [f5] 1543 into GWC usable within game B, denoted as GWC_(B)1584. Presumably, GWPM 1411 stores GWC_(A); GWC_(B); UGWC units; orpermutations of UGWC and various GWC species in a player account.

In the hybrid game ecosystem, a tournament is a method by which playeraccumulated GWC affords a player an opportunity to attain something ofreal value for the GWC 1583 game points (or skill points as they can bethought of). Under this model, GWC, in the form of the appropriatespecies, is paid as an entry fee to the tournament which allows a playerto compete for awards and prizes, which may be RC 1581, cash, prizes,goods, services, etc. Organizing, managing, and executing tournamentsare performed by the GWTM 1412. The tournaments may be either head tohead or player vs. computer play. The GWTM 1412 communicates with GWPM1410 obtain the information needed for a tournament. One example of theinformation needed for a tournament is “pool” information, a player'sRC₁ 127 contribution is donated to a “pool”. The nature of the pool ishelp fund prizes and awards in the tournaments provided for the hybridgame.

In accordance with these embodiments, the hybrid game ecosystemassociates each player with the amount of RC 1581 that the player hascontributed to the tournament prize pool (via RC₁), and transfers thecredits associated with a particular player to a prize pool for aparticular tournament when a particular player is assigned to thatparticular tournament. A player is added to a particular tournament inthe following manner in accordance with these embodiments. GWPM 1410provides information to the GWTM 1412 about the available playerseligible for a tournament, whether an eligible and an available playerelects to join a tournament, and other such logical tournament hostingand management functions. When a player is added to a tournament atleast following three factors are provided by the GWPM 1410 to the GWTM1412: (a) the transfer of funds which would be the integral of the totalRC 1581 contributed (via RC₁) by the particular player, (b) the transferof the appropriate species of GWC (or UGWC) 1583, and (c)a packet ofplayer information 1551 regarding the relationship between the GWC andRC being transferred (see example GWTM formulae below) as well asinformation profiling the player's skills and performance profile.

The GWTM 1412 includes three possible elements: (a) a tournamentdistribution module 1565 which operates GWTM function [f9] 1570 todistribute RC 1581, GWC 1583 and contributed casino marketing credits(“cCMC”) 1552, (b) an RTP Sampling module 1568, and a (c) Audit Module1569. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the GWTM 1412provides the following core functions: creating and organizingtournaments based on controls specified by a casino operator (and/orregulatory authorities); sorting players and credits into createdtournaments; transferring players and credits into the propertournaments; conducting the tournaments; awarding winners of tournamentsprizes and crediting associated with those tournaments; loggingpersistent accounting data associated with the tournaments andperforming accounting functions; monitoring of prizes and awards issuedduring tournaments.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the GWTM 1412 createsand organizes tournaments based on controls specified by a casinooperator (and/or regulatory authorities) in the following manner. TheGWTM 1412 receives tournament parameters 1554 from a casino operator(and/or regulatory authorities), and establishes a threshold GWC whichis to be collected from each player to enter the tournament. The GWTM1412 communicates with the GWPM 1410 to determine classes of players ina tournament based on player profiles of the players entered and/oreligible to participate in a tournament. The GWTM 1412 analyzes theamount of RC 1581 contributed by each class of players to the prize poolin the tournament, the cCMC 1553 target controls and the amount of cCMC1552 that will be contributed. Based on this analysis, the GWTM 1412determines the prize(s) that will be awarded in the tournament byissuing the aggregate of RC 1581 and cCMC 1552 to the winners.Typically, cCMC 1552 are added to the pool of the tournament by casinooperators to fund or enrich tournaments to make them more desirable toall players or select classes of players. The GWTM also communicateswith the GWPM 1410 to determine players 1580 who are online (playing thehybrid gambling game), fit a certain class which the operator wishes toinvite into a particular tournament(s), and have sufficient GWC (orUGWC) to make the particular players candidates to enter one or moreparticular tournaments. Based on these determinations, the GWTM 1412provides a request to GWPM 1410 to invite a candidate player to join thetournament. (The GWPM 1410 then presumably extends the invitation to thecandidate along with potential prizes, and flags each willingparticipant to the GWTM 1412 for addition into a tournament).

In accordance with some embodiments, the GWTM 1412 sorts players andcredits into created tournament by providing the following functionalsteps. The GWTM 1412 identifies and collects funds for the tournament.The collection of funds from a player may be completed by transferringof all or a portion of the total RC 1581 from the player that are to becontributed to the prize pool. Methods for identifying the amount of RC1581 from each to allocate to the tournament may include, but are notlimited to: (a) an index, based upon class of the player, of the GWCwhich will be collected from the player when the player joins thetournament, (b) a fixed percentage of the total RC contributed by allplayers to tournament prize pools, (c) a percentage formed bydetermining the percentage of RC that each player of a particular classof players has to contribute to the overall prize pool, (d) a percentageformed by determining the percentage of RC that each of theparticipating players have contributed to the overall tournament prizepool. The GWTM 1412 also collects the specified amount of GWC 1583 (orUGWC) from the player account of each participating player that isrequired to for the player to enter a particular tournament. The cCMC1552 for use in the tournament as determined by the cCMC targettournament controls 1553 is also collected by the GWTM 1412. Theparticipating players are also sorted into a particular tournamentgroups 1566 via the operation of tournament distribution module 1565operating GWTM function [19] 1570 in GTWM 1412.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the GTWM 1412conducts the tournaments by releasing the tournament to execute. Eachplayer then plays the hybrid game on their own device 1401. One skilledin the art will note that the actual operations of the tournament modegameplay of the hybrid game on device 1401 may be controlled by the GWTM1412 or some other system.

When play of the hybrid game for the tournament is completed by each ofthe players in a tournament, the GWTM 1412 determines the winners of thetournament, awards prizes for the tournament, and credits each playeraccount associated with the awards in the tournament. These steps mayinclude the GWTM 1412 distributing the total prize pool associated withthe particular tournament to the appropriate players according to thetournament parameters 1554. If the tournament is comprised of severalrounds, the winners 1577 of a tournament 1566 are recursively enteredinto the tournaments 1566 as participants 1576 until a final set ofwinners 1577 are determined.

In accordance with some embodiments, the provision of the core functionthe logging persistent accounting data associated with the tournamentsand performing accounting functions by GTWM 1412 includes storing dataassociated with tournaments, credits transferred in, credits awarded outin prizes, identify of players in the tournaments, winners oftournaments, and other data associated with tournaments andcommunicating each portion of the data to appropriate systems which maybe coupled to the GWTM 1412. In some the embodiments the provision ofthe core function of monitoring of prizes and awards issued duringtournaments by the GWTM 1412 is performed by sampling the total ofprizes and awards issued in the tournament and comparing the totalagainst the amount of RC 1581 contributed (via RC₁), by theparticipating players in the tournament to validate and/or makenecessary adjustments to prizes and awards via GWTM function [f9] 1570,or other mechanisms, to insure a predetermined return to player (“RTP”)proposition.

One skilled in the art will note that all instances of credits (i.e. RC₀122, RC₁ 127, RC 981, cCMC 152) used in the hybrid game ecosystem shownin FIG. 15 could be replaced with virtual credits (or currency),allowing the FIG. 15 system to become a play for free model. In thiscase, a player would either be given or purchase virtual play credits,which would be used by the hybrid game, contributions of virtual creditsmade to GWPM 110, along with cCMC 152 provided by the casino operator,which in turn would be distributed as described above as prizes andawards of virtual currency, virtual credits or prizes and awards viatournaments by the GWTM 112.

On skilled in the art will also note that the direction of data flowshown in FIG. 15 is meant to convey a logical flow of data primarilyrelated to insuring a proper accounting of player contributed RC (RC₁)and GWC, and not necessarily to mean a unidirectional channel ofcommunication. Indeed, it is anticipated that any such connections withthe hybrid game ecosystem would be bi-directional, if at minimum toinsure reliable and fault free delivery of transferred data.

A tracking record for the game session that allows various game eventsand actions to be recorded against a game progress reference inaccordance with embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 16. Thetracking record illustrated in FIG. 16 is generated within a HyG 1401and called a HyG.seq. The HyG.seq.record frame 1600 is standard tick1601 in the context of the hybrid game. A standard tick may be one of anumber of possible metering methods, such as, but not limited to, aperiod of game virtual time, a period of real time, game actions taken,wagers executed in the hybrid game, levels of the entertainment game,etc. Recorded against these ticks are events of interest in the hybridgame, such as RC wagered and contributed (RC₀, RC₁) 1605; GWC earned orexpended 1607; or special events 1610 (e.g. use of a special object suchas a potion, a weapon, a force field or armor, or a tool of some kind).A number of other game play metrics may be recorded against theHyG.seq.record frame without departing from these embodiments. Thepurpose of recording these metrics are to make the metrics available ata later time for use by the hybrid game, the GWPM 1410 and/or the GWTM1412 in determining any number of various factors about the game playsession, such as but not limited to: a total amount of RC₁ contributedto the tournament prize pool; the efficiency in which a player generatesGWC as a function of RC wagered (expressed as “GWC|RC”); the effect ofspecial objects on the players GWC|RC efficiency; the effect of othergame events or factors on a player's GWC|RC efficiency; the skill of aplayer as measured by GWC earned vs. entertainment game actions taken(expressed as “GWC|game actions”); the presence of “cheats” operatingwithin the entertainment game, authorized or not. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the metrics and events that may be recorded in aHyG.seq.record can provide forensic data for analyzing andcharacterizing a player and a player's performance in the particulargame during the session that the HyG.seq.record covers.

An alternate tracking record for the game session using a vectoringscheme that allows various game events and actions to be recordedagainst a game progress reference in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention is shown in FIG. 17. In FIG. 17, each of the numberedvectors 1730-1734 (along with vector math) are used to record variouscharacteristics of the gameplay session. Each axis used for vectorcoordinates would be some metric of game play which the system wishes torecord, and as such, vectors under this approach may be 2, 3 ormulti-dimensional in nature. For instance, a vector could record GWC|RCand GWC|game actions as is illustrated in the figure. The advantage ofsuch an approach would be that only the significant changes outside of aconsistent slope (based on the plotted average of data points) would berecorded, potentially significantly reducing data storage. Additionally,application of Euclidian geometry to such data could speed analysisrelated to ranking, classing and bracket players, and looking forcheats.

A vectoring scheme is also useful in determining the amount of RC (viaRC₁) players of a player class will theoretically contribute to thetournament price pool. The analysis looks at various vector points anddata in performing the analysis by Euclidean geometry such as: GWC, RC,GWC|RC, GWC|game actions. Vectors could encapsulate complete gamesessions, or sections thereof.

The vectoring scheme of FIG. 17 also applies appropriate weighting toeach game session, as it relates to the play history of the hybrid game.As shown in FIG. 17, if the initial play of the game is represented byvector 1730, where the x-axis represents game action (GA) and the y-axisrepresents GWC, then by placing the vector 1731, which would represent asubsequent wager or play session, at the tail of vector 230, the GWCgained or lost during a period of game play are weighted against bothpast and potential future play. In the example shown, the net vector ofplay sessions 1730, 1731, 1732 and 1734, are represented by a singlevector, with a tail at the tail of 1730, and the tip at the tip ofvector 1734. This method would provide a single vector representation ofthe net GWC vs. GWA. Any new play beyond this point is represented by avector beginning at the tip of vector 234. Furthermore, as also shown inFIG. 17, additional data may be included, and recorded, such as RC,shown in the three dimensional illustration. Additional information mayalso be stored to include, but not limited to, additional informationincluding play time, career or lifetime GWC earned, special objects orpowers earned in the GW.

The GWTM Function [F9]

As discussed above with reference to FIG. 15, a tournament distributionmodule 1565 of GWTM 1412 performs GWTM function [f9] 1570 to distributeRC 1581, GWC 1583 and contributed casino marketing credits (“cCMC”) 1552to the appropriate tournaments. One skilled in the art will note that itis expected that a highly skilled player, with respect to a given ESE,will accumulate GWC per RC 1581 wagered and/or Game Action (GA), at ahigher rate than a less skilled player. This is the primary basis fromwhich skill level and ultimately tournament class or banding can bedetermined. As represented in FIG. 18, it would also be expected thatthe top tournament class would be made up of a relatively small numberof elite players, compared to less skilled classes. It also would beexpected that the less skilled tournament classes would have a largerplayer pool, consisting of players that contributed a larger amount ofRC 1581, in an effort to earn the GWC 1583 required to enter a specifictournament. As a result, the lower class consisting of a larger numberof players, having a higher RC/GWC ratio, than the more skilled players,will have a larger RC prize pool, than the higher classes of players. Inorder to draw in the more skilled, or “elite” players into a tournament,the casino could include marketing dollars 1552, in the form of RC orother prizes for the higher level tournament class bands. In doing so,the casino is attempting to attract top players, which would in turnattract lesser skilled players, to compete in the same tournaments asthe top players.

The most direct way to determine the general skill level of a player isto calculate the GWC earned vs. GA. The following table demonstratesthis point:

Player GA GWC GWC/GA sum(RC1) 1 400 4000 10 50 2 250 5000 20 40 3 1003000 30 20 4 1000 3000 3 100

Utilizing the above mathematical model, the GWTM System can sort theplayers into appropriate tournament class bands. The criteria forentering a tournament and determining the class would be set by thecasino and interpreted by the GWTM System. This would include, theminimum number or buy-in of GWC 1583, to enter a tournament, as well asthe class banding criteria determined by function [f9] 1570.

If a player meets the minimum entry requirement or buy-in, they will beinvited to enter a tournament, at the time that a player chooses toenter the tournament, the GWTM 1412 I deducts the required amount ofGWC_(A) 1583 from the player's account as an entry fee, the balance ofthe GWC will remain in the player's account. Also, at the time ofbuy-in, the appropriate amount of RC₁ 1581 will be transferred from theplayers GWPM 1510 account, to the tournament prize pool. The appropriateamount of RC₁ contributed to the prize pool could be a function of GWCused to enter the prize pool vs. total GWC that the player has in theirpersonal account. As an example, in the case of Player 2, above, if thetotal amount of GWC to enter the tournament is set at 2500, the playerneeds only expend 50% of the player's available GWC, which is 5000. Inthis case, 50% of their available RC₁ or 20 units, with the balance of20 units remaining in their personal account for possible inclusion in afuture tournament. Class banding could be set by strictly by GWC/GAratio for example:

-   -   Class 001: GWC/GA<10;    -   Class 002: 10<=GWC/GA<20;    -   Class 003: 20<=GWC/GA<30; and    -   Class 004: 30<=GWC/GA

Another option is that the class banding function could use a bell curvetype system. In a bell curve system, the classes are determined bypercentage of players in a portion of the curve. For example, a toptournament class including only the highest ranking players may includethe top 5% of entrants, the second tournament class includes the next10% of entrants, a third class includes the next 25% entrants and thelast class includes the remaining 60% of entrants. The percentages andnumber of classes discussed are only used to show an example of how thetournament classes might be set-up. The total prize pool for each classof the tournament would be based on the total RC₁ wagered by eachparticipant in a given tournament class, plus cCMC, based upon the cCMCtarget controls 1553. So the total prize allocation for a specifictournament class would be: Sum(RC1) for Tournament Class n+cCMC forTournament Class n=Total Prize Allocation for Tournament Class n. ThecCMC could be cash, gifts, prizes or other considerations, as determinedby the casino. In any case, the total number of participants in aspecific class, as well as the total RC contribution to that class willnot be known, until all participants have entered the tournament, andtournament entry has been closed. At this time, the function [f9]incorporates all criteria, including, but not limited to, total numberof participants in tournament; total prize pool; RC and cCMCcontributions; total number of classes; number of participants in eachclass; and prize pool for each class. Once this is completed,information such as projected prizes, for the various classes isdetermined and communicated. Once this takes place, tournament playersmay be released and tournament play of the entertainment game may begin,with or without the wagering aspect of the hybrid game.

Many other types of methods for managing and analyzing data in thegambling hybrid ecosystem are possible, such as using derivatives,differential equations, matrices math and other methods for creatingcurves and surfaces in order to fully characterize the player, the playsession, determining total financial contribution and a number of otheruseful metrics related to the play session.

An overview of the process for providing tournament by a GWE thatincludes the GWE of the HyG 1401, the GWPM 1410, GWCE 1411, and the GWTM1412 is shown in FIG. 19. In process 1900, the GWE determines a set ofplayers of a hybrid game that are eligible to participate in atournament (1905). The GWE then provides an invitation to each of theeligible players (1910). The invitations may be provided through the ESEof the hybrid games being played by the players which presents theinvitation to the player through the player interface. The GWE receivesacceptances of the invitations from the invited players and determinesthe participants in the tournament from the acceptances (1915). Inaccordance with some embodiments, the acceptances are received from theESE of the hybrid games being played by the players. The ESE receives aninput indicating the acceptance and provides the acceptance to the GWE.

The determined participants may then be separated into classes fortournament play (1920). The prize pool for the tournament and/or foreach class in the tournament is determined (1925). As discussed above,the prize pool and individual prizes in the prize pool for thetournament and each class in the tournament may be based upon the numberof participants and/or amount of GWC, RWC, or VRWC provided by eachplayer.

The GWE then signals the start tournament play (1930). In accordancewith some embodiments of the invention, the signal may be provided tothe ESE to begin recording the game play for use in determining theresults of the tournament. The GWE then receives updates about thegameplay or game session metrics of each player of the hybrid game fromthe ESEs of the hybrid gambling games being played (1935). The updatesof the gameplay of the players are then used to determine the results ofthe tournament and to award the prizes in the prize pool of thetournament and/or each class of players to the participants (1940). Theplayer records of the participants are updated to reflect thecontributions to the prize pool and/or the prizes awarded (1945).

Although certain specific features and aspects of a gaming system havebeen described herein, many additional modifications and variationswould be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the featuresand aspects described herein may be implemented independently,cooperatively or alternatively without deviating from the spirit of thedisclosure. It is therefore to be understood that gaming system may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the foregoingdescription of the gaming system should be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the claims to bedetermined as supported by this disclosure and the claims' equivalents,rather than the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tournament system, comprising: a network distributed processing system comprising: an entertainment system controller connected to a game world controller by a network, wherein the entertainment system controller is constructed to: execute an entertainment game; generate a visual representation of the entertainment game; provide an entertainment game outcome on the basis of a player's utilization of an entertainment game element during the player's play of the entertainment game; generate entertainment game metrics; receive from the game world controller via the network an instruction to provide an invitation to a tournament; generate a visual representation of the invitation to the tournament; and provide the tournament; and the game world controller connected to the entertainment system controller by the network and connected to the server by the communication link, wherein the game world controller is constructed to: receive from the entertainment system controller, the entertainment game outcome and information about the player's utilization of the entertainment game element; receive from the entertainment system controller, the entertainment game metrics; determine access to the tournament based on the player's utilization of the entertainment game element; distribute the invitation to the tournament to the entertainment system controller; receive from the entertainment system controller an acceptance of the invitation to the tournament; and a tournament manager coupled to a plurality of network distributed processing systems, the tournament manager constructed to: determine a set of players associated with the plurality of network distributed processing systems, the set of players having accepted the invitation to the tournament; determine a prize pool of the tournament that includes a set of individual prizes; receive updates from each of the plurality of network distributed processing systems associated with the set of players participating in the tournament; determine a distribution of the individual prizes to based on the updates; distribute the individual prizes; and update player records of each player of the set of players participating in the tournament based on participation in the tournament.
 2. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is further constructed to receive from the entertainment system controller, via the game world controller, the entertainment game metrics; determine a set of entertainment game metrics to use to determine access to the tournament; and distribute to the game world controller, the set of entertainment game metrics.
 3. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is further constructed to: determine a prize pool of individual prizes for each class in the set of classes of players of the tournament; and determine a winner of each individual prize in the prize pool in each class from the players in each class.
 4. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the update includes session metrics.
 5. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the update is recorded using a vector scheme.
 6. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is further constructed to receive from an operator a set of entertainment game metrics to use to determine access to the tournament; and distribute to the game world controller, the set of entertainment game metrics.
 7. The tournament system of claim 1, wherein the entertainment system controller records the tournament.
 8. The tournament system of claim 1, further including a server connected to the game world controller via a communication link, wherein the server is constructed to determine an outcome of a wagering event; and the game world controller receives from the server the outcome of the wagering event.
 9. The tournament system of claim 8, wherein the outcome of the wagering event is distributed to the entertainment software controller via the game world controller, and the entertainment software controller generates a visual representation of the outcome of the wagering event.
 10. The tournament system of claim 8, wherein the outcome of the wagering event is distributed to the entertainment software controller via the game world controller, and the tournament is modified by the outcome of the wagering event.
 11. The tournament system of claim 8, wherein the outcome of the wagering event is distributed to the entertainment software controller via the game world controller, and the entertainment game is modified by the outcome of the wagering event. 